Mastercard® Gold Card™ Review

CardName ESSENTIALS

Mastercard caused quite a stir in the industry when it unveiled its lineup of luxury credit cards. At the top of the group is the CardName.

This card has several features which make it almost certain to garner double-takes from cashiers and waitstaff and is sure to impress your family, friends and co-workers as well. However, only cardholders with certain spending habits will find CardName a worthwhile addition to their wallet.

The appearance and composition of the card is rather unique, as Mastercard takes the term "Gold Card" literally. The card features a patented 24K-gold-plated front with a carbon back.

The other striking feature of the card is the AnnualFees annual fee (plus $295 per additional names on the account).

The ongoing APR of RegAPR is competitive, but there is no introductory rate on purchases offered. However, the card does offer 0% introductory APR first the first 15 billing cycles on balance transfers made in the first 45 days after account opening. Then RegAPR.

CardName has a rather pedestrian rewards program that operates on a points basis— earn one point for every $1 spent on all purchases. However, points can be redeemed for cash back or airfare redemptions at a higher rate of 2%.

FEATURED CARD

 

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• Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
• Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
• 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
• 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
• 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That's $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
• Terms Apply.

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WHAT OUR EDITORS LIKE MOST ABOUT THE CardName

We definitely like the appearance of the CardName. The unique construction, with a 24 ct. gold-plated front, could be a conversation piece and reap benefits in your social and business life. However, the look of a card alone should never be reason enough to apply for a credit card.

With that said, we also like that the CardName has a competitive RegAPR APR. While an introductory rate on purchases would be nice, this ongoing rate is solid, and the card does offer a 0% APR on balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles you have the card.

If you like being treated like a VIP, you will probably love the CardName 24/7 concierge service which offers around-the-clock service via phone, live chat, and email. The CardName Luxury Card Concierge can assist you with travel bookings, various personal requests and more. CardName members can also enjoy invitation-only experiences such a court side sporting event tickets, access to dress rehearsal performances, exclusive golf offers, and more.

One of the most attractive perks of the CardName is the annual $200 travel credit. This credit can be used for airfare, baggage fees, upgrades, in-flight beverages or lounge access, and is available in full at the start of the calendar year. Cardholders are also eligible for a $100 Global Entry application fee credit. Additional benefits include expedited security clearance on domestic flights and membership in Priority Pass Select, which provides complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges regardless of the airline you are flying or class of ticket, travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and more.

POTENTIAL DOWNSIDES OF THE CardName

When you consider potential downsides to the CardName, we have to start with the annual fee. With no first year fee waiver and no points bonus at signup, it's estimated you would need to spend just short of $50,000 on the card each year to make the card pay for itself.

The points-based rewards program is straightforward and easy to understand. However, the rewards rate itself is modest. You receive just one point for each dollar spent. They can be redeemed at a rate of 2% airfare or cash back though, which helps to make up for this a bit.

In addition, CardName lacks the introductory bonus or introductory purchase APR you would expect with a card of this type.

HOW THE CardName COMPARES TO OTHER CARDS

CardName vs. CardName

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CardName comes with many of the perks you might be hoping for from CardName and with a significantly lower annual free (AnnualFees compared to AnnualFees).

CardName gives 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. CardName also offers a juicy bonus of 60,000 points if you spend at least $4,000 over the first three months you have the card. That bonus has a value of $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel.

CardName, however, does not have an equivalent perk to the $200 annual travel credit offered by CardName, and it does not offer a reimbursement for Global Entry if you decide to apply.

With the CardName you won't be looking at a near $1,000 annual fee, however, it's also not a luxury card, so you'll be missing out on some generous benefits that certain cardholders might really appreciate from the CardName.

CardName vs. CardName

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Another option in the Mastercard luxury card family, CardName has a lower annual fee (AnnualFees per year) but still lacks the type of rewards program that would instill confidence that the card would pay for itself each year.

Neither card has an introductory bonus or an introductory purchase APR. Both also have an ongoing APR of RegAPR.

CardName members earn one point for every $1 spent and pays out 1.5% per point if you claim cash back or 2% per point if you are looking to redeem for airline travel. Based on those numbers, you would need to be spending around $33,000 per year on the card for it to pay for itself, which is quite a bit less than the CardName.

While CardName offers a $200 annual credit for travel expenses, CardName offers a $100 credit. Both cards offer a $100 Global Entry application fee credit. Terms and conditions apply

CardName vs. CardName

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It's not often that you can say a AnnualFees annual fee is a noteworthy savings, but that's the case with CardName when you compare it to the AnnualFees annual fee for the CardName. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser.

Both cards offer an annual credit of $200 for travel, though the AmEx credit is limited to being used for incidental airline fees charged by one pre-selected airline, as well as expedited boarding and security processing. CardName also offers up to $200 in Uber Cash annually, up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. Terms Apply. Enrollment required for select benefits.

Like CardName, CardName has a travel-focused rewards program that you'll only see earn rewards quickly on an ongoing basis with certain airline and hotel purchases. However, CardName cardholders can earn a substantial 80,000 point welcome offer, which you receive after you spend $8,000 in the first six months you have the card.

Another big difference is that unlike typical credit cards, the CardName allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all. CardName has an APR of RegAPR.

WHO SHOULD GET THE CardName?

With such a steep annual fee, there are only a limited number of people who can likely afford the CardName. For the card to pay for itself would take a high level of spending each year. So the question you have to ask is if the expense is worth it? If you are looking for a card with lucrative rewards, you're better off looking elsewhere. But if you are looking for a card with a sharp appearance and one which could elevate your social status, CardName might just do the trick.

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To see the rates and fees of CardName please visit the following link: See Rates and Fees